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Post by joyinvirginia on Apr 3, 2021 12:49:48 GMT -5
I usually list the Apartment Therapy and Peter Walsh January cleaning tasks on this board. I missed it this January because.. Covid. Work was hectic, extended family had challenges, I had a blah mood, plus Peter Walsh was in Australia filming a new series and skipped his January list with his apologies.
Papermoon has inspired me with her posts on the Apartment Therapy spring cleaning list. I'm starting January over with the apartment Therapy January list. Anyone who wants to restart the year, join in.
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Post by momof3boys on Apr 3, 2021 12:53:05 GMT -5
Yes! Yes! Yes! This sounds wonderful!
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Post by joyinvirginia on Apr 3, 2021 12:59:38 GMT -5
#1 of 20 January Cure tasks: declutter ONE drawer, or cubby, or shelf, or basket or bin or cabinet, as long as it's small. Everything out, clean the space, put back only what belongs there.
I'm doing drawer I keep measuring cups and spoons in.
Update one hour later: one drawer is done!
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 3, 2021 14:15:55 GMT -5
This is great. Thank you, joyinvirginia! I am going to do my cutlery drawer. (It will sort of count double because it's also on my mental list of grubby spots.) |
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Post by papermoon on Apr 3, 2021 18:50:57 GMT -5
joyinvirginia , I'm so glad you started this thread. I'll join in! www.apartmenttherapy.com/january-cure-2021-declutter-drawer-36842300 Day 1 - Clean & declutter my "landing strip" drawer. DONE. This drawer holds mini-size extras of the various stuff I grab on my way out the door, depending on the weather and where I'm going... tissue packs, lip balms, Ricola, coupons, etc. etc. I tossed some old/unneeded stuff, and moved some other things to better homes. Also vacuumed the drawer and the slot it fits in. Plus one hallway basket. DONE. I'm going to post my basket details over on my blog, so as not to clutter up this thread.
I've decided to customize my "Cure"... I'm going to clean & declutter 20 drawers, one per day. I've got lots more drawers than that, but there are 20 that need attention big time (well, now only 19). I'm also going to clean & declutter one basket per day. Not sure if I'll join in the other "January" tasks... I'll just play it by ear. I hope more people will post on this thread... it inspires me!
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Post by joyinvirginia on Apr 4, 2021 9:21:32 GMT -5
#2 of 20 January Cure tasks: Make a to-do list.
Walk around your home, look in each room. You could include your entryways outside or outdoor tasks too if you want. Remember, no rules!
In each room, list 3 or 4 tasks needed in that room that will make it more comfortable or functional. You can include very small tasks like "move little table to other side of room" or big tasks like "throw out big ugly broken table". When you have gone into all the rooms and have a big list, then rewrite your list as a master plan of short and long term projects to make your space look and feel better.
Update: I did a list, it's really long and includes long term tasks. It's on my blog and I'll track progress there
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 4, 2021 11:53:52 GMT -5
Did my cutlery drawer. Been meaning to do it for years. No more looking at that stained, depressing shelf liner. Relined it, changed out the tray, and kept only a selection of cutlery. Much better!
Working on the Day #2 list now.
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Post by papermoon on Apr 4, 2021 22:07:30 GMT -5
Day 2 - Make a wish list of to-do improvements for each room/area. DONE. Forced myself to limit my list to only 3 problems per area (Kitchen, Bath, Hall, Bedroom, Closet). Otherwise I was afraid of overwhelm. AT gives 2-part instrux... 1st: list the problem; then 2nd: list the solution. I only listed the problems for now. Since AT said we'd be revisiting our list next week, I'll use the intervening time to let my mind percolate on some ideas/solutions/cures. But even this abbreviated task today was enlightening. Every problem falls into one of two broad categories: (1) excessive stuff (clutter, unsorted/unfiled papers, too many dis organized clothes) and it's all taking up way too much valuable space, which has contributed hugely to my sense of ill-being during the past Covid year+, stuck at home in this cramped little studio; and (2) there's an awful lot of dirt because there's so much excess stuff for dust and cat hair to land on... the stuff itself is dirty, as well as the neglected areas under and behind it all. Anyway... I wrote out my list by hand on 2 facing pages in a lined notebook... a line for each problem on the left, and a space waiting for each solution/cure on the right. Whew. OK, I'm glad that's done. Clean & declutter kitchen knife drawer. DONE. The only clutter in this shallow drawer was some dust and crumbs. Even though the drawer stays shut, dirt creeps in there. I vacuumed, then wet-wiped it clean. All 7 of my knives are hard-workers, I couldn't manage without them. I gave the straight-edged ones a fresh sharpening. There's a magnetic knife bar in the drawer to keep the knives safely in order. The kitchen shears live in there, too. This drawer is directly beneath my big cutting board on the counter. I like having sharp knives hidden out of sight, but close at hand right where they're needed. Plus one kitchen basket. DONE.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Apr 5, 2021 10:20:22 GMT -5
#3 of 20
Set up an outbox and put one thing in it. This outbox can be a box, a bag, a basket, or a corner to put things that you want to donate or give away. Put things in here that you are thinking about discarding too. You can make a decision later.
DONE! My outbox spot is on top of shoe holder by front door. I put some magazines there, some to take to library and some for neighbor.
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 5, 2021 10:41:59 GMT -5
Well, that was easy! My outbox is and has been on the newel post of the stairs. Anything a bit too large for that goes on the stair(s) next to it.
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Post by papermoon on Apr 5, 2021 19:37:55 GMT -5
Day 3 - Designate an "outbox" area and put something in it. DONE. I already have two outbox areas... (1) For big stuff, the spot on the hallway floor by the door... it's hard to ignore, especially when I keep stubbing my toes on the stuff until it's gone; and (2) for little stuff, an antique toy wagon atop my landing strip. I put some unwanted pens and pencils in the wagon; and a bag of dry catfood by the door to give to my neighbor. (Later that same day... everything has been given away now, and the empty spaces are crying out for more, more!) Clean & declutter the small kitchen gadgets drawer. DONE. This shallow drawer holds all my smallish, flatish gadgets, like flat graters, measuring spoons, mini whisk. I decluttered a lotta dust and crumbs, plus a duplicate coffee scoop to the Free Box downstairs. Plus four kitchen baskets. DONE.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Apr 6, 2021 13:23:04 GMT -5
#4 of 20: deal with paper clutter. Gather loose papers, separate into recycle, needs action, and file piles. Then take appropriate action for each pile. I have lots of papers on kitchen counter that need this attention tonight!
Dh is still working on taxes so I can't touch anything in those papers.
Update: DONE, small pile of mail and papers on kitchen table
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Post by papermoon on Apr 6, 2021 14:52:19 GMT -5
I'm taking Day 4 off, to go get my 2nd dose of Covid vax. Yeah, I know what you're thinking... any old excuse to avoid dealing with paper, right?
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 6, 2021 15:27:05 GMT -5
I'm taking Day 4 off, to go get my 2nd dose of Covid vax. Yeah, I know what you're thinking... any old excuse to avoid dealing with paper, right? I'm thinking that lots of people have chosen to take the day off after their second. You can do it your way.  What I'm actually thinking: Dang, I knew there'd have to be a paper day! Which three inches from my 13 boxes should I work on? Guess it doesn't matter. Ugh. Gotta find that spoonful of sugar to help that medicine go down.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Apr 7, 2021 17:31:42 GMT -5
#5 of 20, Clean the floors and enjoy your space. Since this was originally a Friday task, instructions included get fresh flowers or a plant to beautify your space and enjoy it over the weekend. Even tho it's Wednesday, you can do that ,or not. No rules!
I vacuumed the dog hair from bathroom and bedroom floor!
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